While listening to the Rick Howe's
Hotline talk show on 920 CJCH, I heard Linda Pannozzo speaking
about a study that GPI has done on the effects of our work force. It's
a detailed study ,In fact I support the study . She was speaking
about the stress and related health problems that exist in our society
today with for the most part a 24/7 society. In Reality this study is
another reason not to support Sunday shopping. Think about ? Lets get
real our families are suffering due to lost time with there love ones
and we want to add more stress on them by allowing stores to open
another day. Not to mention costing the taxpayers more for
health care. We are creating problems with our health care by allowing
this society to go the route it is going. Not to mention gas prices,
we all like to complain about the prices going up .No wonder prices
have gone up all acoss the land cause we want the convenience and we
will have to pay for it. GPI Atlantic study can be found on this web
page - http://www.gpiatlantic.org/

Some highlights of this study

7.2 Health Effects of Work Stress

"In the short term stress can be debilitating. In
the long term, stress can kill."

644

In the following section we shall
examine some of the health effects of work stress in general,

and of work stress caused by long
hours and overwork in particular. It is important to emphasize

that while we are not attributing all work stress to
long hours, the literature clearly links long

hours and time pressure with stress, burnout, and a wide
range of mental and physical illnesses.

Statistics Canada cites a large number of studies that
have shown a relationship between work

stress and illness. Its own study concluded that
"workers who experienced job strain, job

insecurity, physical demands or low support from their
co-workers or supervisors reported

physical and emotional health problems."645

A number of behavioural changes
have been associated with work stress. These include:

•

higher rates of smoking

• alcohol abuse

• drug abuse

• accident proneness

• absenteeism

•

violence

• appetite and eating disorders

•

deteriorating social
relationships (family/friends)

• low participation in community affairs

Psychological effects include:

• family problems

• sleep disturbances

• sexual dysfunction

• depression

• burnout

• irritability

• increased risk of suicide

• withdrawal

Physiological effects associated with work stress
include:

• colds and other respiratory infections

• depression

• heart disease

• backache

• arthritis

• peptic ulcers

•

digestive tract
disorders

•

headaches/migraine

• cancer

• diabetes
mellitus

• asthma

• increased
cholesterol levels

• increased
blood pressure

• menstrual
disorders

• thyroid
disorders

• possible
effects on pregnancy

• skin
diseases

• karoshi
(death from overwork)646

That's
why you should not be supporting Sunday shopping quote from the study "deteriorating
social relationships (family/friends)". Big
business has spent millions of dollars to convenience you and I that we
need stores open 24/7. Fact is that it's not necessary, the proof is now
in front of us. Together we can all change the work force to make a
better work place. Another study that we have come across http://www.jubilee-centre.org/kss/intro.html
was quite interesting it showed us the decline in family life in the UK.
If you want to make a difference please show your'e support by signing
our on
line petition . Want to help us forum a committee to stop Sunday
shopping from happening? More information click
here please.
By the way if you are in Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia you can
listen to the hotline with Rick Howe 920 CJCH AM Monday through Friday
9:30am to 1:00pm. What ever the issue it can be brought up.